Solving music theory issues for bass player (sneak peek)

Do you ever have trouble understanding music theory basics for bass players -- and how to apply them? This video has got some answers that'll really help, all from a bass player's perspective.
It's actually a sneak peek at video #2 of a new series I just launched called "The BG4 Way for Learning Bass."
Get access to all 3 videos, totally free, by clicking here!
forbassplayers...

[@rolandwheeler4842]

I've only been playing bass for 8 weeks now. Learning songs is super fun but takes me a long time to learn. Hoping this series will help me pull out simple basslines in case I ever join a band and don't have 4 weeks to master a song! Thank you so much for these lessons!!

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Welcome to the low end, Roland! I can’t guarantee what my lessons will do for you, but I can tell you that they’ve helped well over 100,000 other people. So I’d say your odds are pretty good! 😂 Hit me up anytime with your bass-playing questions, problems, goals… I’m happy to help. - Jon

[@fredalmgren7211]

Hi Roland. I am fairly new as well. A few great points of advice is that I learned is that what is played live is different than original recording. Make it easier on yourself in learning what is being taught with the 1/4/5 and don't try and overplay. I also learned to not freak out over making a mistake when starting with a group. Even excellent musicians will make mistakes. Now that I am getting better I started really learning about the structures of songs that have patterns. Example is Intro, Verse 1 Verse 2, Chorus, Verse 3, Chorus and Outro or Ending. Usually the verses have a pattern and Chorus different. I just came across this and love the approach

[@rolandwheeler4842]

@@fredalmgren7211 thank you for that!!!

[@bassbuffricky]

Learning the intervals and the Nashville number system is where it all starts. You'll be able to understand how chords are built (by stacking thirds) and recognize common chord progressions almost immediately. Once you see it, you can't unsee it anymore. 🙂

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve used that system and they all seem to love it. There’s something to be said for learning the “traditional” way too! 😀

[@jillgeary1313]

Thanks Jon. I know of, and understand, intervals. But I've never tried to figure them out by listening/by ear as you suggest. I'll try it!

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Awesome, Jill! Let me know how it goes. Thanks.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks again John best wishes

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

😀👍

[@williamclementsonbass1795]

Very well explained👍 ❗ especially for an old grip' er an rip'er such as me

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks, William! 😂

[@irishpete5472]

Thanks for your easily accessible lessons . Also isn't the Stonefield F series bass a wonderful instrument! I have one and love it 👍

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

You’re welcome, Irish Pete. 😁 Yes, Stonefield’s great! Thanks for weighing in.

[@gb-tm9vg]

Nice. We all use intervals when playing of course but we don't always really understand them. Loved your "aha" moment about intervals. I have had a similar moment. Now I routinely play songs using different intervals than usual just to see how they sound.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Glad to hear it, gb. Thanks for weighing in. Just a word of caution: Be careful when “using different intervals just to see how they sound” when you’re in a performance situation! 😂

[@gb-tm9vg]

I don't play in a band so that is not a concern.

[@nickcatalano8238]

Easy way to learn

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks, Nick. I hope you’re getting a lot out of these videos!

[@rillloudmother]

as a guitarist, i am depending on the bass player to, "solve," my chord conundrums.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

As a bass player, I know what a big responsibility we have. And I’m up to it! 😀

[@rillloudmother]

@@ForBassPlayersOnly here's hoping I'm able to pick up what you're laying down.

[@RobertMusilli]

Would a perfect 5th be "all dressed in white"? . Perhaps perfect 5th is "way up high" (Somewhere over the rainbow)

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Hey, Robert. Actually the “way up high” interval in “Rainbow” is a major 6th - but you were close! 😀 Think of the first two notes in “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and try to match that interval. Thanks for the comment!

[@RobertMusilli]

@@ForBassPlayersOnly Oh thank you I meant to say 6th! I was always impressed by that jump Judy Garland did

[@RobertMusilli]

Can you give us some more corny songs for other intervals?

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Point taken, Robert. I just wanted to go for the lowest common denominator, with songs that everyone was likely to know. I could have gone with some Weather Report or Mahavishnu tunes, but that might have scared some people away! 😂 Thanks for the comment.

[@RobertMusilli]

@@ForBassPlayersOnly Actually the corny songs work best for this. They were good choices

[@bassbuffricky]

@@ForBassPlayersOnly Wouldn't have scared me away... 😉